As part of the implementation of the European THEMIS Project, an online meeting was held in September 2025 with the participation of the Municipality of Parga, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, and the Civil Protection Institute of the University of Western Macedonia.
During the meeting, the results of previous actions were reviewed, local initiatives of the Municipality of Parga for the summer period were presented, and possibilities for enhancing public awareness and training of residents and tourists on civil protection matters were discussed. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and the use of technological tools, such as the smoke detection cameras utilized by the Municipality for timely risk assessment.
Furthermore, it was agreed to collect detailed information from the Municipality of Parga regarding civil protection procedures and disaster risk management, as well as to create a list of interested and involved stakeholders to participate in the project’s questionnaires.
Finally, it was decided to hold an in-person meeting with the Municipality of Parga in October or November 2025, aiming to further cooperation and coordinate future actions to strengthen operational readiness and information dissemination in tourist areas.
Online Meeting
Date: Monday, 15 September 2025
Platform: Zoom Link
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Participants
- Mr. Spyros Nikolaou, General Secretariat for Civil Protection
- Mr. Ioannis Bakouros, Director, Civil Protection Institute
- Ms. Amalia Kouskoura, Civil Protection Institute
- Ms. Eleni Kalliontzi, Civil Protection Institute
- Mr. Christakis Georgios, Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection, Municipality of Parga
- Mr. Spyridon Bomporis, Civil Protection Advisor, Municipality of Parga
The meeting began with an introduction by the Civil Protection Institute (CPI), with the participation of its researchers, Ms. Amalia Kouskoura, Ms. Eleni Kalliontzi, and specifically its Director, Professor Ioannis Bakouros, during which:
- A detailed review of the conclusions from the 16 July 2025 meeting was presented, which had been missed by the Municipality of Parga officials due to prior commitments.
- The importance of public awareness through information campaigns and training programs was highlighted.
- The need for continuous monitoring of actions and recording of impacts on the local community was emphasized.
- Strengthening collaborations with local stakeholders and tourism businesses for information dissemination was mentioned.
Subsequently, Mr. Spyros Nikolaou from the General Secretariat for Civil Protection presented the results of civil protection actions during the summer period, referencing the main initiatives for preventing risks from natural disasters such as forest fires and floods. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between local and national authorities for effective crisis management.
Then, the Municipality of Parga, represented by Mr. Christakis Georgios, Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection, presented the Municipality’s actions during the summer period: information campaigns, resident and tourist training, and risk management for forest fires and floods. Specific examples of successful practices and best response methods were cited, such as the installation of smoke detection cameras in various areas of the Municipality. Finally, the need for continuous improvement of procedures and coordination between local and national authorities was emphasized.
An open discussion followed among the participants, exchanging views on future actions for public awareness and training in the tourism sector. Regarding the next steps of the project, participants requested the Municipality to provide a detailed file describing the procedures and practices they follow in civil protection matters, as well as the protocols for risk and disaster management.
Lastly, the need to create a list of interested and involved stakeholders from the Municipality of Parga to participate in the THEMIS project questionnaires was discussed, to ensure complete and targeted data collection. The meeting concluded with participants planning the next in-person meeting in October or November 2025 at the Municipality of Parga to evaluate new actions.